Baby movements in the womb are also known as fetal movements or kicks. 

You may feel your baby’s movement as early as 16 weeks of pregnancy, but most women usually feel somewhere between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation age. 

If this is your first pregnancy, you may not notice your baby’s movements until you are more than 20 weeks pregnant.

The baby’s movements can feel like a flutter, kick, swish or roll.  But, there is no set pattern for these movements because every baby and every pregnancy is different.

 As your pregnancy progresses, the kicks become stronger and more noticeable, and your baby will develop a regular movement pattern, which you should monitor daily.

Usually, there should be 10-12 movements in one hour after your meal.  If you feel less than 10 movements in one hour, eat some sugary food and then recount the movements for another hour. 

If you still feel the baby’s kicks are less, then you should consult your doctor. 

Reduced baby movements may indicate that the baby is unwell. Your doctor might advise you to get an ultrasound scan to see the baby’s well-being.

Here are 3 simple ways to Calculate Your Baby’s Arrival Date

1. By the LMP method, If you know the first day of your last menstrual period, by adding 280 days to it, you can know your estimated delivery date or EDD.

For example, if your LMP was January 1, just add 280 days, which is October 8. That will be your EDD.

2.Type EDD calculator on Google. Multiple options will pop up. Select one and enter the required information to know the EDD.

The above two ways will work when you have regular cycles and know your LMP.

If you are not sure of your LMP,

3.the third simple way is to get an ultrasound scan. The radiologist will estimate your due date based on the baby’s length. Usually, first-trimester scans are accurate in knowing the EDD.

While due dates can be helpful for planning and preparing, it’s important to remember that they are just estimates. Only about 5% of babies are born on their due date, and most are born two weeks before and a few after the due date. 

NIPT, or Non-invasive Prenatal test, is a simple blood test performed on pregnant women to detect potential genetic and chromosomal abnormalities in the unborn baby.

NIPT is usually done anytime after the 10th week of pregnancy. The test results take 10 to 14 working days.

Here are some common situations where the doctor recommends NIPT

1. When the pregnant women age is more than 35 years
2. When there is a family history of genetic conditions.
3. When double, triple, or quadruple markers tests show a high risk for chromosomal abnormalities.
4. When the ultrasound scan indicates chromosomal abnormalities.

NIPT analyzes the baby’s DNA in the mother’s blood and provides information about the baby’s risk of chromosomal abnormalities.

Unlike prenatal procedures such as amniocentesis and CVS, NIPT is non-invasive and poses no risk to the developing fetus, which means no risk of miscarriage.

NIPT has a 99% sensitivity and specificity for detecting chromosomal abnormalities.

A negative test result means chances of chromosomal abnormalities are extremely unlikely. Since NIPT is a screening test, a positive NIPT result should be confirmed with further diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling 

Baby has to grow incrementally inside the Uterus throughout the pregnancy. But sometimes, the baby doesn’t grow as expected. This condition is called Fetus growth restriction(FGR).

Three main factors cause the baby’s growth restriction

1)Issues with the placenta, which leads to poor blood supply to the baby

2)Inadequate nutrition intake by the mother

3)Genetic abnormalities in the baby

But worry not! Here are five important tips to improve your baby’s weight.

1) Do not miss your first-trimester scan. Your first trimester scans predict if there are any placental abnormalities by using Doppler study. In such cases, your doctor will advise blood thinner medicines to improve blood circulation to the baby.

2) Consume a well-balanced diet with essential nutrients like protein, iron, calcium, and folate. You may consult a nutritionist for better results.

3) Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of fluids to ensure your body functions properly and helps in nutrient absorption.

4) Get regular prenatal check-ups, which help to detect issues early and provide necessary guidance.

5) Stress management. Mothers should take adequate rest with good sleep for the baby’s growth.

The baby’s position in the uterus is also known as a lie or presentation. The four baby positions are

1. Cephalic /vertex Position: This is the most common and ideal position for a baby during Delivery, with the baby’s head facing downwards towards the birth canal. This position helps the baby pass through the birth canal more easily, allowing for normal Delivery.
2. Breech Position: The baby is positioned with its buttocks or feet closest to the birth canal. This position increases the risk of complications, as the baby’s head may get stuck in the birth canal and must be delivered by a C-Section in most cases.   
3. Transverse Position: This is when the baby is lying horizontally across the Uterus, with its head and feet pointing towards the sides. This position is rare, and Delivery must occur by C-section, as the baby cannot safely enter the birth canal.  
4. Oblique Position: The baby is positioned diagonally in the Uterus, with its head and feet pointing to opposite sides. Normal Delivery is usually possible, but the baby must be monitored closely during Delivery.

One can know the baby position with the help of ultrasound scan. 

Most expecting mothers often ask this question during the scan.

Baby’s weight is usually captured during anomaly scans from the fifth month onwards. At around 19-20 weeks, the baby typically weighs about 250-300 grams. Between 20-30 weeks, the baby should gain 100-150grams every week. By the 30th week, the baby should weigh between 1.3 to 1.5 kilograms. From then on, the baby gains around 200-250 grams every week until delivery. By 37-40 weeks of pregnancy, your little one should weigh approximately 3-3.5 kilograms. Remember, these are ideal ranges. Ultrasound scans are the only way to know your baby’s approximate weight, which can be plus or minus 100 grams of the actual weight. Suppose the baby’s weight is not appropriate for the gestation age. In that case, your doctor will suggest a suitable diet, medications and the baby’s growth can be monitored through regular ultrasound scans.

 “DUE DATE” Everything you need to know about your Pregnancy

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